ADAM A3X

The A3X is a desktop monitor with a 4.5" woofer, ADAM’s proprietary folded ribbon tweeter, and single-knob volume knob control of two speakers via Stereolink.

While it may be tempting to think of the ADAM A3X as a budget-conscious monitor, that’s just a side-effect of its intended purpose—a professional-quality monitor for desktop computer applications. Whether you’re making music on a laptop or just watching Netflix and chilling, the 4.5" A3X gives you brilliant audio quality thanks to ADAM’s precision X-ART tweeter and carbon fiber woofer. Together, these two drivers give the A3X a 60Hz to 50kHz frequency range, which is beyond that of many professional monitors. The compact A3X produces a bass response that appears to defy the laws of physics, along with a clean low-midrange devoid of the mud that lives between 200Hz-400Hz. The spatial detail and dimensionality are what you would expect from ADAM professional monitoring.

ADAM A3X—Just the Facts:

X-ART folded ribbon tweeter

5" carbon fiber mid-woofer

2 x 25W amplification (A/B HF/ PWM LF)

Front-panel on/off switch and volume gain

Single volume control of both speakers via Stereolink

Tweeter gain on the rear panel

60Hz - 50kHz frequency range

XLR & RCA connectors

106dB max peak SPL per pair

5-year warranty (2-year + 3-year optional extension)

ADAM A3X—Behind the Grille

X-ART folded ribbon tweeter technology

From its inception, ADAM Audio emerged as a major force to be reckoned with in pro audio monitoring, mainly due to its innovative folded ribbon tweeter. The ribbon tweeter is based on the Air Motion Transformer concept developed by Dr. Oskar Heil, which is a pleated diaphragm similar to the shape of bellows. From the standpoint of surface area response, a 1-inch-wide pleated diaphragm is comparable in function to an 8"-diameter cone. The folded driver acts like a point-source version of a larger driver, which inherently results in lower distortion during sound reproduction. Another property of the folded diaphragm is that its squeezing movement projects air with a speed approximately five times faster than the speed of the ribbon driver itself.

ADAM engineers took this technology and improved on it, incorporating superior geometries and materials to achieve unprecedented audio fidelity. The latest iteration of the ADAM folded ribbon tweeter is the X-ART, which explores new paths in the kinematics of moving air, resulting in a dramatic improvement in the quality of audio reproduction.

The X-ART membrane consists of a pleated diaphragm in which the folds compress or expand according to the audio signal applied to them. The result is that air is drawn in and squeezed out, like the bellows of an accordion.

The ADAM X-ART design overcomes the piston-like motion of all conventional drivers and their inevitable problems, such as narrow directivity, by achieving an improvement in air loading by a factor of 4 over conventional transducers. In addition, the X-ART tweeter’s pleated membrane avoids the typical breakup/distortion and subsequent dynamic limiting at higher frequencies found in dome and cone tweeters. Another positive result of the X-ART design is that the driving “stripes” are in direct contact with the outer air and are cooled immediately.

Diaphragm area is another important factor in determining the dynamic range of a transducer. Basically, what you see is what you get. The cone area you can see is always the acoustically active area of the loudspeaker–this is true for practically all other drive units. By folding the X-ART diaphragm into the 3rd dimension (as seen from the listener’s position) a larger foil can be used, thus increasing the acoustically effective area of the diaphragm by a factor of more than 2.5 times. This results in a higher dynamic output with extremely wide dispersion.

Class A/B custom amplifier

While the X-ART tweeter’s solved certain problems associated with conical tweeter designs, its wide bandwidth up to 50kHz, though responsible for the musicality and openness of the AX3’s high-frequency response, also created a problem in terms of amplification. PWM (pulse-width modulation) amplifiers, which have become popular due to their high power efficiency and low distortion, require a low-pass filter to separate the modulation frequency (the point where power switches from the supply rails) from the audio band. It imposes a limitation on the high-frequency reproduction of the X-ART tweeter. To preserve the wide bandwidth, which in turn preserves the phase coherency and resultant realism of audio in the audible range, ADAM put considerable time and effort into creating a high-frequency power amp to allow the high-frequency tweeter to live up to its potential.

The perfect partner for X-ART

An internal bandwidth of more than 1MHz is externally limited so that the unit delivers an ultra-wide response up to 300kHz. With nothing limiting the abilities of the X-ART tweeter, the monitor has unsurpassed clarity and openness which will daze and amaze even the most jaded professional ear.

Stereolink single-knob volume control

The Stereolink (A3X and A5X only) is a feature designed specifically for desktop DAW users who don’t have external monitor control systems. Stereolink, which works only with RCA inputs (not the mono XLR), comprises an input and output jack in each monitor. Connecting to Stereolink allows you to control the volume for both monitors using the volume control of one. The volume control of the slave monitor only affects its own volume to easily compensate for differences in listening distance. Each monitor can function either as a master or a slave.

Front- and rear-panel controls

The front panel of the A3X includes an on-off switch and volume control. The rear-panel inputs include balanced XLR, unbalanced RCA input as well as RCA stereo link input and output. The rear panel also has a ±4dB tweeter level control and an IEC power receptacle plus voltage selector switch (115V/230V) for international use.

ADAM Audio Sub8

The ADAM Audio Sub8 is an 8.5", 160-watt, active subwoofer with 110dB peak SPL and 28-150Hz frequency range, featuring remote control of volume and crossover frequency.

The Sub8 is the next step up in ADAM’s range of subwoofers in terms of speaker size and power. It’s 8.5" woofer with large 1.5" voice coil provides bass extension down to 28Hz, filling rooms of approximately 60 sq./ft. with precise and powerful bass, thanks to its onboard 160-watt Class D (PWM) amplifier. The Sub8’s amplifier, built by ICEpower, combines low heat generation with high performance to handle maximum power levels, even during long mix sessions. The Sub8’s front panel features two motorized knobs for input level and crossover frequency settings, which can be controlled manually or remotely. An included wireless remote lets you to optimize your sound from your listening position. The Sub8 is an ideal match for the ADAM AX-Series, S1X, and S2X nearfield monitors.

ADAM Audio Sub8—Just the Facts:

Small form-factor makes easy placement in space-challenged studios

5" Subwoofer (paper)

Amplifier power RMS/Music, 160W/240W

Frequency Response of 28Hz-150Hz

Peak SPL 110dB

Remote control of crossover and volume lets you adjust without leaving the sweet spot

ADAM Audio Sub8—Behind the Grille

Small footprint big sound

The Sub8 has been designed to complement monitors in the AX-Series, as well as the S1X and S2X nearfield monitors. Its compact size allows for easy placement in environments where real-estate is limited. The Sub8’s motorized front-panel volume and crossover controls can be adjusted manually or via the included remote control, which lets you make volume changes or crossover frequency adjustments from your studio sweet spot or comfy sofa (if you’ve got an ADAM-equipped home theater). The Sub8 I/O includes both balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA input and output connectors, enabling it to be used in home or studio environments.

The Sub8 has several control options allow for various adjustments to room acoustics or the satellite speakers in your system. These controls include A 0°/180° phase switch and a switchable 85Hz high-pass filter to find the best setting for an optimum in sound and performance. The low cut-off frequency of 28Hz (-3dB point) enables the Sub8 to reproduce audio in the low register in a highly authentic manner.

Efficient PWM amplifier

The PWM (pulse-width modulation) amplifier, also known as Class D switching amp, is supplied by ICEpower, a Danish company that’s a subsidiary of Bang & Olufsen. The advantage of PWM amplifiers rests in their efficiency, which is over 90%. Instead of the linear power regulation used in Class A/B amplifiers, which leads to energy losses in power transistors, Class D amplifiers use switching transistors. Nearly no energy loss occurs at the transistor, which means nearly all the power is carried to the transducer. This amplifier can handle critical passages for long periods of time without overheating.

Rear-panel I/O

Rear-panel I/O includes balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA input

connectors. The Sub8 also has left and right satellite outputs that connect to the inputs of the left and right main powered speakers or the inputs of the amps powering the main speakers. The satellites can be driven full range or with an 85Hz high-pass filter. There is also a phase reverse switch in case the satellites are out of phase with the subwoofer.

ADAM Sub8 features and benefits:

Linear bass reproduction down to 28Hz:

Ideal addition to smaller nearfield monitors

Maximum Peak sound pressure in 1 m ≥ 110dB:

Powerful, compression-free sound reproduction even at very high SPL

High-efficiency PWM amplifier:

Low-distortion amplification at both low and high volume levels

Special 7" woofer with paper diaphragm :

Unrestricted bass reproduction for low-fatigue operation

Easy manual or automatic (de-)activation (via optional footswitch)

If desired, monitoring is possible without the low frequencies

Upper cut-off frequency is selectable between 50Hz to 150Hz

Allows optimal adaptation of the total system on the bass performance of the satellites

Dolby—Fair reproduction of film sound; discharging the satellites from the low frequencies

Remote control (contained in the delivery contents):

Comfortable control in any situation

Analog XLR and RCA inputs:

Optimized for balanced and unbalanced line signals

Small footprint:

Flexible positioning in room for optimal sound results

2 years warranty with optional extension to 3 years with the registration of the product

Full repair service if required for 5 years

If you’re missing the lows from your ADAM AX-series (or any) monitors, add a Sub8 subwoofer and mix with a full frequency range. Order yours today. For more information, call or chat online with your PAD Studio Specialist.

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